Monday, April 11, 2016

8+ Ways: Great Entertainment on a Budget in New York City & Beyond

Cannavale, Perez, Leguizamo - Playing On Air

By Jacquelin Carnegie

Playing On Air - Radio Plays

www.playingonair.org (Cost: Online, Free-$1.99; Shows, $15)This is one of the best-kept secrets in the entertainment world but it shouldn't be, so give a listen then tell everyone you know. The brainchild of veteran producer Claudia Catania, Playing On Air involves a perfect storm of talent--accomplished playwrights, plus top actors and directors--who get together to put on a play. These 10-minute plays are then available for streaming or as Podcasts. A couple of times a year, you can attend live broadcasts. Playing On Air gives you the chance to experience champagne talent on a beer budget. Join the mailing list for updates on Podcast & live broadcasts. Some examples:

personplacething.org (Cost: Podcasts, Free/Shows: Free-$15)The Emmy-winning host Randy Cohen, with his whimsical, David Sedaris-style humor, sets the tone for this thoroughly-enjoyable radio program. The guests are fascinating people from all walks of life--entertainment, science & technology, literature, and the arts--such as director Trevor Nunn, musician Rickie Lee Jones, Kickstarter cofounded Yancey Strickler, author Elizabeth Gilbert. They discuss a person, a place, and a thing they find meaningful and why they are significant to them. These entertaining interviews, with musical interludes, are recorded live two to three times a month at different venues around New York City. You can become an enthusiastic audience member by joining the mailing list for updates on live broadcasts & Podcasts.

themoth.org (Cost: around $10-$30)Since man first sat around a fire in a cave, humankind has been telling stories. Today, even with a barrage of other media, people are still drawn to other people telling stories, like moths to a flame. For the past 20 years, The Moth has given just-plain-folks the chance to stand up in front of an audience and tell a story. Each StorySLAM has a theme; the tales must be true and told, off the cuff, in five minutes. Anyone can signup to speak and, as with any open-mic situation, the narratives run the gamut from brilliant to boring, but are always different and interesting. The StorySLAMs take place nationwide weekly and/or monthly (wherever you go, buy tickets as soon as they're posted & get there early). Story lovers can also attend The Moth Mainstage, a curated show of five storytellers, and listen to Podcasts and The Moth Radio Hour.Editor's Note: Want to know more about Podcasts? Get Nicholas Quah's HotPod newsletter.

(When: Select Summer Saturdays; Cost: $25 per concert; Season Pass: $125) 6:30pm Wine & Refreshments; 7:30pm ConcertOn a beautiful, private terrace in midtown Manhattan you'll hear the strains of classical music or perhaps a Broadway tune belted out. These delightful musical soirées are curated by well-known musician & vocal coach Paul Lincoln. Popular performers come back each year and new ones get added into the mix--all will delight. The $25 ticket includes world-class entertainment, wine, light refreshments, and an unforgettable evening.

Editor's Note: Check out the program calendar at these two cool Brooklyn venues: BRIC (647 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY; www.bricartsmedia.org) - BRIC has a great lineup of affordable entertainment, plus Playing On Air often does live broadcasts here. Roulette (509 Atlantic Ave, on 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY; roulette.org) - A lovely venue with an eclectic mix of international music, dance and mixed-media performances.

Puppetry- For Children & Adults

Saga, Wakka Wakka

Some of the most exciting work in theater is happening in puppetry, but the genre doesn't get the recognition it deserves. Meanwhile, it's terrific, affordable entertainment; the shows for children are brilliant and adult puppetry is mind-blowing. The artistry is the ultimate suspension-of-disbelief. When done well, it transports you to another place faster and better than any hallucinatory drug. Fortunately, in New York, there are several ways to see great puppetry: Puppet Happenings (compiled by the Jim Henson Foundation) - Weekly listings of outstanding puppetry in New York City & around the country.HERE (145 6th Ave, NY, NY) - The Dream Music Puppetry program showcases thought-provoking, adult puppetry. Puppeteer extraordinaire Basil Twist is the Artistic Director.Puppet Playlist - Each show for adults has a theme inspired by a musician or band, featuring original puppetry and music based on the theme.Puppet Kitchen - Check out the shows done by master puppetry designers Emily DeCola & Eric Wright.Wakka Wakka Productions - This OBIE award-winning and Drama Desk-nominated company presents visually-stunning, adult puppetry.